City Code review under way by Fort Morgan staff

"This number is higher than in past years due to re-inspections by order of the fire chief for using multi-plug adaptors improperly," Eicher explained in his report to the Fort Morgan City Council.

It was Eicher's first annual report as the city's fire marshal. He started the job on Aug. 20, after former Fire Marshal Greg Preston retired in mid-year after some health problems that had slowed down his inspection rates.

Eicher acknowledged that the 116 inspections last year were far shy of the total of 513 businesses the city had.

"My goal for this year is to make sure we get all those done," he told the council.

One of the things that the inspections do is create pre-plans for buildings being inspected.

"Part of our ISO ratings is our pre-plans," Eicher said.

The fire department's ISO ratings affect the insurance rates paid by city residents, City Manager Jeff Wells explained, and pre-plans are part of that, as well.

"Sometimes we think fire inspections by the fire marshal are to get us in trouble for what we're not doing right," Wells said. "But actually, it's a really important thing for our fire department."

He said that the fire marshal and firefighters make plans during the inspections for how they could tackle fires in specific buildings if they were to happen.

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"They know where the exits are, they know where the entrances are, they know how the building is configured and they practice on paper . . . what they would do if this building caught on fire so the firemen can stay safe and so they can attack the fire in a way that is most efficient," Wells explained. "That pre-planning is very important."

Eicher also reported to the council that he had updated the firehouse inspection program, and he was hoping to "go paperless" with that this year.

That would mean e-mailing out results of inspections to business owners "as soon as we get done," he said.

Other things that were accomplished last year included issuing seven fire building construction permits; five certificates of occupancy; and 10 fire alarm permits, with nine of these passing after testing.

Nearly 1,500 school children from preschool to fourth grades attended these programs learning about fire safety and prevention and seeing the firefighters' gear and the Surrey Fire Safety House.

The department also held a fire, CPR and first aid training session for about 500 4-H members.

And a fire extinguisher training presentation was shown to middle school and high school students and businesses. Eicher reported that 30 high school students, 25 Colorado State University student and 50 Xtreme Welding and Premier Oil employees went.

Future such trainings are planned at DFA, Western Sugar, Murdoch's, Wardcraft Homes and Leprino Foods, he said, as well as a Firewise program for 4-H clubs and local farmers.

Councilwoman Lisa Northrup said she had heard about all of the presentations and training the fire department had been doing.

"I don't think I've ever heard so many positive comments from these kids," she said, adding that the children who went to were excited to talk about "what they learned."

Eicher said that for all that was done in 2012, there was still lots to do in 2013.

"Obviously, being new I have a lot of work ahead of me," Eicher said.

That includes getting more certifications for the inspections he needs to do as fire marshal.

"I'm working diligently on those to get those accomplished and taken care of," Eicher said.

He also acknowledged the "influx" of construction projects in the city last year that "threw me under the learning curve quick, but we'll get it taken care of."

"Just keep doing your job," Mayor Terry McAlister encouraged Eicher.

City code review

The council also heard about staff members' efforts to review the City Code and look for needed revisions to Chapter 2: Administration.

City Clerk/Public Information Officer John Brennan told the council that the chapter on administration was "the first of three (chapters) we hope to revise this year."

He said that he had found "about 30 pages of election code" that staff felt was mostly unnecessary since the city coordinates elections with the county.

Also, under the section on the mayor and city council: meeting times needed clarification, the section on gifts could be removed since it's regulated under the Colorado Constitution, and the section on in-kind donations could be simplified and clarified to match current practice.

Brennan also asked the council to consider "how much of the city's organizational structure should be spelled out in the municipal code."

"It might be wise to retain some flexibility" with this, he said.

And the duties of the city manager also needed a little housekeeping, he said.

Wells agreed that the City Code conflicted with the City Charter in this area.

Fort Morgan Police Lt. Jared Crone told the council that the only change in the section about Fort Morgan's Municipal Court would be to remove the monetary amount from language about community service sentencing.

This change had been recommended by Municipal Judge Dennis Brandenburg, Crone said.

At the police department, Crone recommended updating the section on retirement to reflect both the Old Hire Pension Plan and the Money Purchase Plan. Only a few retired officers remain on the Old Hire plan, with all new officers being offered the Money Purchase Plan.